Officer dies on duty, heart attack suspected

25-year police veteran had medical emergency at 'L' stop

A 25-year Chicago police veteran died Saturday after apparently suffering a heart attack while on duty at a CTA train station, officials said.

Preston Ross Jr., 48, was on duty at the Grand Avenue stop of the CTA Blue Line when he suffered a medical emergency at about 9 a.m., according to police.

He was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital in "grave condition" and was declared dead there, said Officer Robert Perez, a police spokesman.

A few hours later, police conducted an honor motorcade for Ross between Northwestern Memorial and the Cook County medical examiner's office.

"On behalf of the entire department, I offer my sincere condolences to Officer Ross' family, friends and colleagues," police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said in an emailed statement. "We will keep them in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

Ross had been assigned to the Morgan Park Police District. He had received 17 awards from the Police Department in his time on the force, according to the department.